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CYCLONE IDAI REPORT
MOZAMBIQUE ASSESSMENT
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1. PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
This report was compiled for purposes of providing information on the effect of Cyclone Idai on
Beekeeping Initiatives in Mozambique after the Apimondia Regional Commission for Africa
President formally communicated with Apimondia on the natural disaster that occurred in the
African Region in accordance with the Regional Commission Mandate / responsibilities –
“Analyzing the needs of the local beekeeping communities and coordinating the relief actions in
case of natural or human disasters”.
This report is intended to be circulated to:
Apimondia
Solidaridad
Mozambican Government
2. INTRODUCTION
Apimondia, the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations, is the world organisation
representing the interests of apiculture. It facilitates links between beekeepers, scientists and all
those involved in beekeeping and represents apiculture at international level to many bodies, for
example General Agreement on Trade and Tariff (GATT), the Food and Agriculture
Organisation of the UN (FAO), consumer and agricultural interests.
Apimondia stems from the Standing Committee of the International Apicultural Congresses
created in 1893 holding the first congress in 1897 in Belgium. Apimondia in its current status as
a federation was founded in the Netherlands in 1949.
Apimondia consists of the General Assembly, represented by its members (currently more than
110 beekeepers’ associations and apicultural institutions from more than 80 countries), the
Management Board, seven Scientific Commissions (Apitherapy, Beekeeping Economy,
Beekeeping for Rural Development, Beekeeping Technology and Quality, Pollination and Bee
Flora, Bee Health and Bee Biology) and five Regional Commissions (Africa, Americas, Asia,
Europe and Oceania).
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Apimondia General Secretariat in Rome, Italy, provides a focal point for locating information on
bees and beekeeping and co-ordinates the organisation of Apimondia international congresses
and symposia.
The activities of Apimondia are coordinated at regional level (Continent) by the Regional
Commissions. One of the major activities of the Regional Commission is analyzing the needs of
local beekeeping communities and coordinating the relief actions in case of natural disasters in
their respective Regions. In the case of the African Region, Cyclone Idai is one such case
where the Regional Commission President, Mr. David Mukomana, formally raised the need for
relief for communities in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe as part of these communities
affected are engaged in beekeeping activities as their sources of livelihoods. Apimondia gave
the greenlight for the assessment to be done and a report provided that will detail the nature of
intervention required with the hope of engaging partners to assist in the rebuilding of the
beekeeping initiatives in the affected areas.
3. ASSESSMENT VISIT
Based on the Regional Commission Mandate, a formal communication on behalf of Apimondia
was sent to the Mozambican government by the Regional Commission President through the
Embassy in Harare, expressing solidarity with the people of Mozambique about the disaster
visited on many communities especially in the Manica Province as well as the intention to visit
these affected areas to carry out an assessment of the effect of the cyclone on beekeeping
initiatives with the intention of raising assistance.
The Regional Commission managed to get support from Solidaridad in order for the assessment
visit to be undertaken in Mozambique. The following visits were undertaken in the Manica
Province of Mozambique:
Date Area Purpose
25 July 2019 National Institute of
Disaster Management -
Chimoio
To meet the Government officials responsible
for disaster management for a courtesy visit and
discuss about the assessment; and
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To also seek guidance on the areas to visit and
make the assessment.
A meeting was held 2019 between the Regional
Commission President, the Office Responsible
for Disaster Response in Chimoio, represented
by Mr. Borges Viagem – Chief of Technical
Department – National Institute of Disaster
Management (INGC) and Solidaridad
representatives in Manica to advise of the visit
and seek guidance on how the areas to be
assessed can be reached. The President
provided an overview of Apimondia, the role of
the Regional Commission and the purpose of
the visit.
Mr. Viagem appreciated the efforts by
Apimondia to identify, visit and provide possible
assistance to the Mozambican communities that
desperately need such assistance as the
government has been overwhelmed by the
disaster and the extent of the devastation which
they cannot address without external
intervention. He advised that it will be important
to go the District Offices and get assistance from
the Agriculture Division responsible for
Apiculture.
26 July 2019 Sussundenga District
Offices
To discuss the assessment in the cyclone-hit
areas of the district; and
To facilitate / coordinate the community visits
and get officials to visit the communities with.
The team proceeded to Sussundenga District
Offices where they were assigned the Technical
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Apiculture Officer, Mr. Judah Alberto who is
responsible for Apiculture in the district to
coordinate and visit the affected areas. He
suggested that the team visits two villages
where beekeeping activities are very prominent
and most affected by the cyclone. Mr. Alberto
managed to coordinate the communities of
Nyanguzwe village and Zombe area which were
then visited with his guidance. He indicated that
many villages also doing beekeeping were
affected but not easily accessible due to the
road infrastructure damage and the limited time
for the visit.
26 July 2019 Nyanguzwe Village To meet the community affected by Cyclone and
hear their views; and
To physically assess the damage on
beekeeping activities and potential to restart
26 July 2019 Muwawa – Darwe Local
Area
To meet the community affected by Cyclone and
hear their views; and
To physically assess the damage on
beekeeping activities and potential to restart
4. Areas Visited
The two villages indeed confirmed that there have been and are beekeeping activities based on
the apiary sites visited where a number of hives were identified including wild nests. The
beekeepers are using traditional hives as well as the Kenya Top Bar hives including provision of
stands on which the hives were mounted. The other apiary sites in the Chimanimani area could
not be visited as they are inaccessible due to the damages on the road infrastructure.
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The detailed information obtained during the respective visits are captured in the table below:
Village Information gathered Issues
Nyanguzwe
Village
There are two associations existing
called – Mutiipfuma Nhaka Yedu and
Chasimba Fruit Multiplication.
Mutiipfuma has 60 members, 50
women and 10 men as the
association was formed to empower
women who have been marginalized
for a while.
The members have not received any
formal training and have been
struggling with their beekeeping
activities due to lack of training and
skills.
The group was once assisted by
Michael Foundation with hives where
each member was given on average 3
hives.
The hives being used are mostly
traditional and Top Bar hives.
The members interviewed had 120
hives before the cyclone but at least
80 hives were destroyed by the
cyclone. This number only relates to
the members who attended the
meeting and families who knew the
numbers for their neighbors.
The members raised a number
of issues which they feel if
attended to, they can rebuild
their livelihoods again and
recover from the effects of the
cyclone.
The following are the main
issues the Nyanguzwe
Association raised:
They are not able to
replace the hives
destroyed by the
cyclone. The number of
hives they have are few
to make any meaningful
harvest that can sustain
their families.
The hives they had were
donated and were not
good quality. They wish
to be capacitated in hive
production so they are
able to make their hives
using the timber locally
available.
The communities raised
the issue of a processing
Centre so they are able
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The number of members for the
Masimba Fruit Multiplication were not
available as the association was not
represented and records could not be
accessed. Similarly, the number of
hives or effects of the cyclone could
not be quantified.
to sell their honey which
will be processed and
packaged in the district,
thus creating jobs and
value addition to their
honey. Currently, their
honey is being bought
raw, processed and
packaged outside the
district.
Training in beekeeping,
record keeping and
general apiary
management is an issue
they feel need attention.
The issue of market was
also raised as they feel
the price being offered is
low and often honey is
not collected leaving
them stranded.
Muwawa – Darwe
Local Area
(Chimanimani)
There are 5 beekeeping clubs /
groups in the Chimanimani – Zombe
area. These are Zombe Central;
Zombe Muranga; Zombe Muriro;
Mapira and Chishawo.
The beekeepers met were from the
Zombe Central who have been doing
traditional beekeeping for a number of
years. They received some donations
of top bar hives from Michael
The following issues were raised
by the Zombe Central Group
members:
The need for hives to be
replaced as they are not
in a position to buy new
hives.
The group also raised
the issue of protective
equipment. This has
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Foundation and were now using
modern hives as well.
The Zombe Central has 45 members,
15 women and 30 men.
The actual apiary sites could not be
accessed due to damaged
infrastructure and the meeting was
held at the township.
The group had 259 hives that were all
colonized. Some new hives were
donated by Michael Foundation with
an average of each member receiving
5 hives though not all members
received the hives.
Of the hives owned by the members
present at the meeting, at least 100 of
them were destroyed by the high
winds. None of their hives were swept
away as they had mounted them on
high ground which were not flooded.
However, the 50 hives were damaged
by the falling trees and braches
beyond repair and are no-longer
usable.
Besides the hives damaged, there are
52 families whose homes were swept
away with their sources of livelihoods
destroyed and looking at joining
beekeeping to at least rebuild their
shattered lives. These families are
part of those now sheltered at
seen them not able to
repair some of their
hives with colonies due
to lack of equipment.
Some of the group
members need training
as part of them were
offered training by a
beekeeper who came
from Zimbabwe after the
cyclone as a way of
helping.
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townships in tents and depending on
handouts.
The community also indicated that
they have many places they were
earmarking to do beekeeping for
conservation though the hives were
not enough to make a difference.
Zombe Muranga;
Zombe Muriro;
Mapira and
Chiswawo
These groups could not be visited nor
information gathered due to lack of
accessibility and communication
challenges.
However, the Technical Field Officer
confirmed that there are significant
beekeeping activities in these areas
and were equally affected by the
cyclone. These are part of the areas
that are not easily accessible and
require extensive walking to access.
These groups have their honey
collected by the same buyer from
Michael Foundation who collects from
Zombe Central.
The Zombe Central members
interviewed indicated that these
groups had similar challenges
as theirs. These groups did not
receive any training they
received and would need formal
training.
5. Cyclone effect in Summary
The damage caused by the cyclone were in three parts. In order to capture the actual effect, the
team sought to record the damages on apiaries of the members that were at the respective
meetings.
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i. Hives were destroyed by the massive winds that caused trees to fall and completely
destroy many hives that were within their proximity. There is no record of hives
washed away as they were mounted in apiaries generally on higher grounds such as
by the hill sides. The hives are no-longer usable and some colonies were lost due to
inhabitable hives. From the members that attended the meetings, the number of
hives that were destroyed are in excess of 180. The number of hives lost from the
other 5 groups could not be quantified as the members could not attend the meeting
due to accessibility and failure to contact them in good time by the Technical Officer.
ii. The cyclone destroyed homes and washed away belongings of a number of
households. Included were food stores and beekeeping equipment especially in the
Chimanimani area where a number of households are now sheltered at the Muwawa
– Darwe township and schools as they no-longer have homes. Development
partners are helping with all the necessities for these families to eat, cloth and be
sheltered until they are able to rebuild their homes, a process that will take time and
resources.
iii. Part of the destruction was on the various forms and means of survival of the
communities leaving them with virtually no form of livelihoods to feed their families
and send their kids to school.
Based on the interviews, the extent of the damage on beekeepers especially the hives in the
Sussundenga District can be estimated to be in excess of 800 hives in the Chimanimani area
alone, covering all the 7 groups / associations. This number could be more if all the villages of
Sussundenga engaging in beekeeping were visited and information collected.
6. Beekeeping potential
The province of Manica and the Sussundenga District is unbelievably rich with flora and
flowering plants / trees that can support beekeeping to commercial levels that will not only see
the communities supplying the local market but massive volumes of export.
The first meeting in Nyanguzwe was held by the edge of thick bushveld where we were greeted
by the buzzing of bees in almost every plant that we could see. The bee population is incredible.
The visit to some of the hives belonging to the family provided enough proof of the abundance
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of bees in the area. Even some colonies are in wild nests and it is all the sound of bees in the
bush.
Such is the potential that before the cyclone, the Michael Foundation made efforts donating
hives to a number of beekeepers as well as providing basic training on honey handling so they
can collect the honey for packaging in Chimoio and Beira. However, the hives were not
adequate as individuals got on average 5 hives, which did not make much difference given the
massive potential in the area based on the bee colony population and forage throughout the
year.
Realizing the potential, many groups were formed and a number of them have been waiting for
assistance with hives so they can start beekeeping in order to earn a living without having to
resort to cutting trees for sale as firewood or charcoal.
Picture above: Bee Forage very popular with bees that is in abundance in Sussundenga
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7. Recommendations
The extent of damage in the Mozambican Province of Manica and especially in the
Chimanimani area is beyond the physical damage that has been reported and seen by the eyes.
The situation in the area requires urgent intervention to quickly restore the livelihoods of the
people in the affected areas and equally to fully restore their dignity as human beings who have
the right to live a normal life.
The immediate intervention required is the assurance to the communities affected that the rest
of the world identifies with them and they are making effort to make their lives better. Thus the
visit by the Regional Commission brought hope to the beekeepers and equally those that are
looking at any alternative project they can quickly do in order for them to be back on their feet.
And beekeeping is such a realistic option, hence the need to urgently seek help to mobilize
resources to engage the communities to do beekeeping as a source of livelihood for the
following reasons:
i. The major requirements are there – bees and massive forage
ii. Cost to start beekeeping project is very low
iii. There are technical extension officers who can help with the project from the
government side
iv. The communities can be offered basic training and improve their beekeeping skills
whilst the project is in full swing.
v. There are not much overheads that will require the communities to spend money
before realizing their harvests and sale of the honey.
vi. The level of deforestation is alarming with people trying to earn a living from selling
firewood and charcoal. Beekeeping can be an immediate intervention measure to
provide alternative source of income for many rural communities currently depending
on charcoal and firewood.
Thus, the following recommendations are put forward for consideration:
Recommendation Description Action
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Provision of Hives The beekeepers affected do not have the
capacity to replace the hives destroyed by
cyclone. They desperately need urgent
assistance for them to rebuild their
livelihoods.
Equally, those families whose livelihoods
and homes were destroyed and see
beekeeping as the alternative source of
livelihoods need to be supported with
hives.
The number of hives need to be
increased
The type of hives need to be
modern technology that provide
them with increased output
compared to the traditional hives
predominantly used.
Sourcing of funds for
procurement of hives /
timber for the
production of hives.
Training There is need for the beekeepers to be
trained for them to be able to upgrade their
beekeeping skills so they can maximize
their bee colonies. Provision of hives alone
will not be effective unless the beekeepers
are well trained especially on use good
beekeeping practices.
The training required should cover the
following aspects:
Hive production
Beekeeping
Recordkeeping
Basic business Management
Provision of Training
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Provision of Equipment Beekeeping equipment especially the
protective gear is required. Most of the
beekeepers are risking and working at
night without proper protective clothing.
Some beekeepers are using old tyres for
harvesting thus affecting the quality of
honey.
Need to supply bee
suits and smokers
Processing Centre A processing centre is needed in
Sussundenga District / in the beekeeping
zones so that the honey is aggregated and
processed close to the beekeepers thus
value adding the honey before it is
transported to Chimoio or Beira.
Processing Centre
with honey processing
equipment
Market Linkages Beekeepers require a constant market for
their honey. Better prices are also ideal so
as to motivate beekeepers to engage in
commercial beekeeping.
Establishment of
markets for the honey
8. Pictures in Perspective
The following pictures provides insight into the meetings:
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Picture above: The team with Nyanguzwe Beekeepers
Picture above: The Nyanguzwe Beekeepers Association Chairman showing plants pulled
down by strong winds
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Picture above: The team with Zombe Beekeeping Group
Picture above: Temporary shelters for families whose homes were washed away
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Picture above: Stretches of extensive bee forage from Sussundenga District Offices to
Chimanimani Area that can support commercial beekeeping initiatives.
9. Special Thanks
The Regional Commission President would like to make special mention and appreciation to
Solidaridad for facilitating the visit to Mozambique and ensuring the right offices are visited for
permission to access the affected areas, hoping the relationship established will continue to the
levels where beekeeping will be a strategic sector in the rebuilding of communities in Manica as
well as other districts with potential to do honey production in Mozambique. Beekeeping has
massive potential to transform rural Mozambique to levels of export earnings and partners such
as Solidaridad and Apimondia will help communities fully exploit their natural forests and bees in
a sustainable manner.
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Special thanks also goes to the Mozambican government officials who facilitated the smooth
movement of the team to reach to the affected areas. Without their guidance and support, the
visit will not have been successful.
10. Report Compiled by:
David Mukomana
President - Apimondia Regional Commission for Africa
Tel: +263 73 377 8924
+267 75 605 725 (WhatsApp only)
e-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.apimondia.com